Sponge. 



603 



SPONGE. 



SPONGE is a substance of a soft, light, porous, and elastic 

 nature, which is found adhering to rocks at the bottom 

 of the sea, in several parts of the Mediterranean, and 

 particularly near the islands of the Grecian Archipelago ; 

 and which, in its natural state, is filled with animal jelly. 

 The general uses of Sponge, arising from its ready 

 absorption of fluids, and distension by moisture, are well 

 known and of great importance. It is collected from 

 rocks, in water five or six fathoms deep, chiefly by divers. 

 When first taken from the sea, it has a strong and fishy 

 smell, from the animal matter it contains, of which it is 

 divested by being washed in clear water. No other pre- 

 paration than this is requisite previously to its being 

 packed up for exportation and sale. The growth of 

 Sponge is so rapid, that it is frequently found in perfec- 

 tion on rocks, from which, only two years before, it had 

 been entirely cleared. 



As they are never designed to move from their places 

 of abode, the surface of the Sponges is covered with innu- 



